Unexpected win has Mayo back in the mix

Mayo’s defeat of Tyrone last Saturday was just another instalment in the most unpredictable All-Ireland Football Championship that most of us can recall. The fact that Kerry remain the only unbeaten county – and we are still only at the June Bank Holiday Weekend – reflects how evenly matched many of the teams are. Indeed, Kerry would struggle to hold onto that unbeaten record had they been drawn in either of the so-called groups of death that have left pre-championship favourites like Galway and Donegal scrambling for a place - any place – in the next round.

Mayo’s unexpected victory in Omagh was a personal triumph for interim manager Stephen Rochford, who had been unexpectedly promoted to the top job after Kevin McStay was forced to step away due to illness. The shock of Kevin’s departure – coming just a week after a dismal showing against Cavan in MacHale Park – created a very difficult backdrop for Rochford as he prepared his team for a do-or-die clash with Tyrone. Added to the issues in the senior camp was the ongoing controversy with the Mayo County Board, which prompted a visit to Westport by the GAA’s President Jarlath Burns and Director General Tom Ryan. Indeed, to say it was an extraordinary weekend in Mayo GAA would be something of an understatement, and the interim manager deserves enormous credit for keeping his players focused amid all the off-field furore.

There was a lot to like about Mayo’s performance on Saturday evening, in particular, the defensive display, which saw young Sean Morahan come into the full-back line as part of a raft of changes before throw-in. Rochford’s ability to get his defensive match-ups right in the All-Ireland Finals against Dublin in 2016 and 2017 is something that is largely forgotten now but he demonstrated once again last Saturday that he is very adept at making the most of his defenders. Tyrone’s much-vaunted full-forward line was stymied by a full-back line that may have lacked experience but certainly was not short on enthusiasm and work-rate.

However, the biggest improvement for Mayo was in the middle third where we dominated possession for long periods, especially on Tyrone’s kickout, and that ultimately laid the foundation for a much-needed victory. The loss of Brian Kennedy before the game was a blow to the home side but his absence alone is not sufficient to explain the total dominance of Mayo in this area.

The return of Patrick Durcan was a key factor in Mayo’s vastly improved display and the impact of his absence over the past year is now becoming fully apparent. Durcan is one of those elite players who can provide leadership when it is needed most and that was certainly the case on Saturday. He drove the team forward again and again and kicked three inspirational scores. One point, in particular, in the 14th minute of the second half was absolutely vital because it came at a time when Tyrone had reduced the Mayo lead from eight points to three.

The inclusion of Bob Tuohy and Conall Dawson also paid off for Rochford with both players making valuable contributions throughout the game. Tuohy is a wonderful ball carrier with a phenomenal work-rate and his return to the team was great to see as his potential was there for all to see last year. Dawson’s well-taken brace of points were very impressive for a young man making his championship debut and he could play an important role for Mayo as the summer progresses – provided, of course, that we manage to escape from this group of death.

The importance of Ryan O’Donoghue was underlined once again on a day when the Belmullet man struggled at times to find his range but never once stopped trying. Indeed, he came into the game more and more through his sheer will to get on as much ball as possible, often foraging deep into midfield to bring his influence to bear on the game. His penalty was superb and a fitting reward for a player who never stops trying and must be a nightmare to mark.

The introduction of Davitt Neary was undoubtedly a key moment in the game. Moments after he arrived on the field, Tyrone ‘keeper Niall Morgan struck a fine two-point free to leave the minimum between the teams as the game entered its final quarter. It seemed like the Ulstermen were poised to complete the comeback but instead it was Mayo who scored 1-3 without reply to effectively kill off any prospects of a Tyrone revival. Neary was involved in a lot of Mayo’s best work during this period, including the penalty, which he created through a fine burst into the heart of the Tyrone defence before exchanging passes with Aidan O’Shea.

And what of the big Breaffy man? His display was excellent – his best in the championship since the Sligo game – and his combination play with O’Donoghue was really impressive and augurs well for the Donegal game.

The seven-point winning margin did not flatter Mayo but it is worth acknowledging that Tyrone were very sloppy throughout the game, most notably on the stroke of half-time when the usually reliable Morgan gifted Darren McHale a goal. However, a lot of Tyrone’s loose passing and erratic shooting was the result of Mayo pressure, and it would be unfair to suggest that Mayo’s victory was rooted in the homeside’s failings. Far from it. This was Mayo’s best championship performance since the draw with Dublin in the Hyde last year.

One swallow doesn’t make a summer and Mayo still have a huge mountain to climb in order to stay in the All-Ireland series. It seems probable that Tyrone will defeat Cavan, which would mean that Mayo must win or draw against Donegal to be assured of a place in the preliminary quarter-finals. Of course, we could still top the group by beating Donegal (provided Cavan lose to Tyrone) – and that would be a remarkable achievement given everything that has gone on over the past few weeks.

Whatever happens in the weeks ahead, this was a victory that Mayo GAA badly needed. The disappointment of losing to Galway in the Connacht Final – a game they could and possibly should have won – has clearly taken a heavy toll on this group and it may explain the below-par display against Cavan. Defeat to Tyrone would not have ended Mayo’s interest in the championship – it would still have come down to getting a result against Donegal – but it would have been hard to see this group recovering from three championship defeats on the bounce.

Instead, they now go in against Donegal knowing that their fate is in their own hands. Win and they are through to the next round of the championship – and possibly an All-Ireland quarter-final. That’s a really great position to be in and it certainly is one we would not have anticipated after that May meltdown in MacHale Park.